Is Buchloe’s Bovensiepen Zagato
the better Alpina?
After selling the Alpina brand to BMW, which aims to create a bespoke luxury brand out of it, the Bovensiepen family has launched their new and eponymous car brand.
Moving Mountains
Featured Cars: Bovensiepen Zagato
Location: Buchloe
Let’s make this short: If you know, you know. And if you know ball, you love Alpina. Or loved it, to be more precise. Created by the Bovensiepen family, the more understated but immensely powerful and comfortable cars were always the choice of those who would neither choose a base model, nor opt for the M model in BMW’s portfolio.
After the brand was sold to BMW, those times seemed over. But, as it turns out: Now is the time to enjoy this Grand Touring DNA even more. With the Bovensiepen Zagato.
Milan meets Buchloe
The Bovensiepen Zagato perfectly blends renowned Bavarian engineering with unmistakable Italian flair. Serving as the brand's very first model, the vehicle's body is crafted almost entirely from lightweight carbon fiber and carries the distinct signature of the traditional Milanese design atelier Zagato. The result is a masterful, modern interpretation of a classic Gran Turismo. Its silhouette is defined by an elegant, elongated hood and a striking side profile completely devoid of B-pillars, featuring fully retractable frameless windows. Naturally, Zagato’s iconic "Double Bubble" roof makes an appearance, flowing seamlessly into the rear window to make the car recognizable from any angle.
The art of Fine Driving
At its core, the new brand is built on the philosophy of "Fine Driving"—a commitment to delivering the ultimate Gran Turismo experience. Under hood rests a 3.0-liter inline-six engine that delivers 611 horsepower (449 kW) and 700 Nm of torque, propelling the the GT from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds, and to a top speed well beyond the 300 km/h mark.
Yet, true to the Bovensiepen legacy, this speed is gracefully balanced with sublime ride quality. The chassis engineers developed a bespoke sport suspension featuring special Bilstein Damptronic dampers. By offering Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus modes, the car effortlessly bridges the gap between athletic driving dynamics and pronounced long-distance comfort. The emotional driving experience is further amplified by a bespoke titanium exhaust system, developed in partnership with Akrapovič, which is about 40 percent lighter than conventional systems.
Inside, the dedication to handcrafted perfection is absolute. Every single Bovensiepen Zagato requires at least 250 hours of meticulous hand assembly at the manufactory in Buchloe. The cabin is a luxurious sanctuary, offering an optional full-leather interior in exquisite Lavalina leather that takes experienced saddlers over 130 hours to hand-stitch. With details like milled solid aluminum shift paddles, custom 20-inch forged wheels, and an infotainment display seamlessly integrated into the leather-wrapped dashboard, it becomes clear that this is a true grand tourer meant to cross continents and move mountains in unparalleled style. But is it better than what was and is called Alpina? Let's put it this way: It's different. But that's just right.
